Eastwing Aviation Institute has announced the 2026 edition of the Southeast Aviation Summit / Eastwing Youth Competition (SASEYC), following the successful conclusion of its maiden edition organised through its non-profit arm, the Eastwing Youth Foundation.
Eighteen-year-old Uyammadu Ifechukwu Franklin emerged as the winner of the inaugural competition and was awarded a full scholarship to study at Eastwing Aviation Institute. In a letter of appreciation to the management of the Institute, Uyammadu described the scholarship as life-changing.
“This scholarship has not only lifted a huge financial burden, but has also given me a platform to begin the journey of fulfilling my long-held dream in the aviation industry,” he said. He added that he intends to study Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, noting that the programme will provide him with a strong technical foundation in aircraft systems and operations, while positioning him to make meaningful contributions to the aviation sector.
Uyammadu has since commenced his aviation training, reflecting the core objective of the initiative, which was designed to create access and opportunities for young people from the Southeast, a region that remains underrepresented in the aviation industry.
Speaking at a press briefing to announce the second edition of the competition, the Executive Director of Eastwing Youth Foundation, Mr Christian Agadibe, said the initiative was conceived in response to the growing shortage of skilled manpower in the aviation sector. He noted that this concern has also been highlighted by the Minister of Aviation, Barrister Festus Keyamo, with youths from the Southeast among those most affected.
“Year after year, we see very few young people from the Southeast finding their way into aviation. This competition was created to change that narrative by exposing them early, training them properly, and giving them a real chance,” Agadibe said.
He explained that the 2026 edition will follow a structured empowerment process. The first 100 registered participants will undergo training in hospitality, tourism, and customer care. From this group, 50 participants will be selected through a screening test for intensive training in introduction to aviation and aviation soft skills, which will last between two days and one week.
A further screening will produce the top 10 finalists, who will receive a one-week practical training in hotel reservations and air ticketing. These skills, Agadibe noted, are designed to empower participants with employable and entrepreneurial capabilities. The final screening will determine the overall winner, who will be awarded a full scholarship to study Aircraft Maintenance Engineering at Eastwing Aviation Institute, along with additional benefits, including appointment as an ambassador of the Institute.
Also speaking at the briefing, the Founder of Eastwing Aviation Institute, Dr Christopher Edeh, said the competition aligns with the Institute’s long-standing vision of using education to build capacity and restore confidence among young people.
“We believe talent is evenly distributed, but opportunity is not. SASEYC is our way of creating that opportunity and ensuring that young people from this region are not left behind in the aviation industry,” he said.
Following the success of the 2025 edition, SASEYC has now been positioned as an annual event. Registration for the 2026 edition has been set at N5,000, making it accessible to a broad pool of aspiring participants across the Southeast.
Eastwing Aviation Institute and the Eastwing Youth Foundation are calling on philanthropists, corporate organisations, non-governmental organisations, and public institutions within the Southeast to partner with the initiative, as it continues to grow as a platform for youth empowerment, skills development, and aviation workforce development.
As demonstrated by the journey of Uyammadu Ifechukwu Franklin, the Southeast Aviation Summit / Eastwing Youth Competition is steadily transforming ambition into opportunity, and dreams into sustainable careers.
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